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Amazing Insights on Home, Money and LifeTue, 31 Mar 2015 18:47:41 +0000en-UShourly1http://wordpress.org/?v=4.1Can You Afford to be a Stay-at-Home Parent?http://www.quickenloans.com/blog/can-you-afford-to-be-a-stay-at-home-parent
http://www.quickenloans.com/blog/can-you-afford-to-be-a-stay-at-home-parent#commentsThu, 12 Mar 2015 15:44:21 +0000http://zingadmin.mi.corp.rockfin.com/blog/?p=62378How do you know if becoming a stay-at-home parent is right for you and your family? Before you take the plunge into making home your full-time home base, there are a few key things to consider.

]]>When it comes to parenting, you want what’s best for the kids. No question. You watch what they eat, you bandage up their boo-boos, you tuck them in and you take care of them like no other. So when the question of whether or not to become a stay-at-home parent comes up, there’s a lot to consider.

Income and education are key things to take into account, but what about the less obvious considerations? How do you feel about watching one or more children all day? How do you feel about cutting back your financial contribution to the household? What will you do to ensure that developmental milestones are being met?

We’ll take a hard look at the sacrifices you’ll make as a stay-at-home parent, and what you have to gain – not to mention what the balance of both means for you and your family.

Sacrifices

Pay

The most obvious of sacrifices you’ll make is a paycheck. Whether you’re just backing off to part time or you’re walking away from the workplace altogether, you’d be crazy not to consider the financial adjustment that’s required.

Let’s say you’ve got a decent job and you bring home as much money from work as your significant other. Now let’s say you stop working, cold turkey. What does that mean for the two of you?

For one, you just cut your income by half. Second, and this is obvious, you’re now living on one income. The implications are complicated enough if it’s just you and your significant other, but what happens when you throw kids into the mix?

Your lifestyle will need some adjusting, and you’ll have to find ways to cut back on things like dining out and entertainment. The good news is, you’re not the first family to make a change in income. Budget-conscious families just like yours love sharing their knowledge on ways to cut back. From recipe sharing on Pinterest, to making minor home repairs without calling on outside help, navigating the world of income adjustment is well-traveled territory.

When considering the income you’ll give up by staying at home, you have to also consider sources of income that are either deferred or non-monetary in nature – namely your 401(k), insurance and stock. Our financial planner told my wife and I, “Even if you bring home one dollar in your paycheck after day care, investments and withholdings, you’re still making money.”

By that, he means that if your net income after daycare, stock allowances, insurance plans, profit sharing, IRAs and 401(k)s is more than $0, you have to think long and hard about the future benefits and liability you’re giving up by dropping all of those benefits as a whole. His recommendation instead was to drop back to part time, keep the benefits and make work something you do on the side. In our case, it’s easier said than done.

Day Care and All That Comes with It

These days, day care is much more than just a place to dump your kids while you’re off at work. From an early age, kids are held up against milestones and curricula that are designed to help parents assess their child’s progress, as well as help their little guy or girl get along in the world.

However, that developmental supervision and encouragement doesn’t come without a cost. The cost of day care in America eats away at income at an alarming rate. According to the Center for American Progress, the annual cost of child care for an infant in a child care center is higher than a year’s tuition at the average four-year public college in most states. Child care cost is such an important issue that President Obama named American child care “a national economic priority for all of us.”

The question of acting as your child’s care provider shouldn’t be, “Can we afford not to?” or, “Will they get the education and development they need?” The better question is, “Am I able to satisfy those educational and developmental needs?”

Once again, the Internet is an invaluable resource for parents taking child care on themselves. You can find a curriculum to follow online. You might even be able to find a local playgroup to give your child an opportunity to interact with his or her peers on a social level.

Sanity

Make no mistake: It’s hard work caring for a child from the time he or she wakes until it’s time for pajamas.

All kids are hard work. Some are harder than others, sure, but even well-behaved ones have off days. Watching one, two or three all day is enough to wear anyone down. You might sacrifice your sanity, but you’ll definitely sacrifice any days off. Kids don’t take sick days, and neither will you.

Benefits

There are clear sacrifices to staying home to rear their rears, but there are some unbelievable benefits too.

Savings

Without the specter of day care looming over your head, the pressure to send the kids off to school and get your money’s worth from their education is gone. You won’t have to work around the day care’s schedule, and you won’t have to worry about money wasted when your child has to stay home.

Creativity

A friend of ours who became a stay-at-home mom found that she really enjoys coupon clipping and finding deals. I have other friends who found new passions while staying at home to raise their kids. One friend learned that she can make some pretty cool stuffed animals out of scrap fabric. Another friend of mine taught himself to play guitar while his son napped. Some people are able to tap into untouched passions they never knew they had. Some are even able to make money at it.

If you’re crafty, even better! Get your stuff out there and start selling it on Etsy! It doesn’t even have to be useful. Someone made knit leg warmers for chairs. Yes. Knit. Leg warmers. For chairs. Even better? They’re selling for $15. That’s $3.75 per leg! Even better than that? You can buy the pattern and start your own chair leg warmer enterprise. Cold chair legs of the world will be forever grateful for your commitment to their warmth and style.

Quality Time

As a stay-at-home parent, you can control your child’s environment and you’ll share in his or her developmental growth.

Case in point: My wife and I had a rare occasion to pick our daughter up from day care together. We walked in, weary from the day, and our daughter came crawling up to us. Her teacher blurted out, “Why don’t you show mommy and daddy how well you’re walking?” My wife and I were crushed. While we were at work answering emails and making meetings, our little girl took her first steps without us. It was a stone-cold stew of guilt and regret.

While my little sister was growing up, my mom stayed at home to take care of her. It’s something she didn’t have the means to do with my older sister and I, but that time with my little sister is time she always treasures.

As a grade school- and middle school-aged kid, I can safely say that it was great having mom home too. If I ever forgot lunch, mom would bring it by. If I ever fell ill, mom was there. And now that I think about it, mom was a chaperone for my field trips too. I wasn’t so grateful for it back then, but in hindsight, it was always nice to see my mom and my little sister enjoying museums and art galleries right there with me.

Good? Bad? Who Knows (Better Than You)?

As a parent, it seems like some days there’s no right answer. One constant truth, however, is that the biggest decisions are never the easiest to make. There’s a lot to weigh in the decision between staying home with the kids or trucking away at work.

Regardless of your choice, no one can ever call it into question as long as it’s made with the best interest of your children and family at heart. No one knows the needs of you and your family better than the people involved. The best you can do is explore all options, weigh all potential benefits, face every potential roadblock, and find a way to make it work for your family.

Do you have a stay-at-home parent in your family? How do you manage your time between work and home? Do you have help? Let us know in the comments below.

]]>http://www.quickenloans.com/blog/can-you-afford-to-be-a-stay-at-home-parent/feed0Teaching Kids About the Value of Moneyhttp://www.quickenloans.com/blog/teaching-kids-about-the-value-of-money
http://www.quickenloans.com/blog/teaching-kids-about-the-value-of-money#commentsTue, 24 Feb 2015 20:13:59 +0000http://zingadmin.mi.corp.rockfin.com/blog/?p=62205What should you tell your kids about your salary and when? How can you make them understand how much things cost so you can set realistic expectations? We’ve put together a couple of tips to help you out.

]]>When I was younger, my grandparents used to sit down with my brother and me after Thanksgiving dinner. Page by page, we’d go through the big toy catalog that had arrived a few days earlier. I think they could’ve saved themselves some time by circling nearly everything in the boys’ section.

I was very naïve about the value of money as a child, but this need not be the case with your children. Here are our tips for providing age-appropriate financial advice as your children grow.

Grocery Store Shopping

You can probably start teaching your children the value of money around age 6 or 7. This is when your child will start learning to recognize and add together different denominations of money in school.

Your grocery bill might be a good place to start, according to an article in the New York Times. Since children have specific requests at the grocery store, you can begin to show them how much certain things cost in comparison to others. For example, you could explain that you get more cereal for less cost if you go with the store brand instead of the name-brand marshmallow cereal. You can explain to the child that the savings you get here will buy an extra box of vanilla cream-filled cakes. (I suppose my fantasy childhood was very unhealthy.) The grocery example is a good one because it uses concrete terms to show exactly how far your dollars go, rather than forcing your child to wrap his or her mind around the abstract concept of a budget.

You can use play money in order to show them how much is set aside for groceries, the house payment and other bills. Then you can show them how much you spend on sports, going to the movies and going out to dinner. If you can show how much is left after everything is paid, it will have the dual effect of showing your child where the money goes, as well as setting realistic expectations.

Games

Let’s face it. Kids are more and more attracted to their electronic devices. I know that sometimes you might like them to get outside and get a little fresh air, but you can use their infatuation to your advantage.

Many websites offer educational games like these to give kids a chance to have fun while learning. When your kids get a little older, there are simulation games that let them run everything from amusement parks to railroads to sports franchises. This gives them a good training on how to budget based on income.

Allowances

An allowance might be another great way to teach your kids the value of a dollar. Let’s say you pay your kids an allowance for completing their chores. You can make this function as a simulation of the wage system: They’re being paid to get their work done.

This also teaches them about the power of saving and goal setting if they have some big toy they want to purchase.

If you wanted to take the wage thing a step further, you could match a certain amount of their savings in the way an employer might with your 401(k). (Okay, maybe I’m just lobbying on behalf of the children of America at this point. It’s worth a shot.)

You might also decide to split the allowance. You can give them a certain amount to use on whatever they want and have the rest set aside for charitable contributions or college savings.

College Savings

When they get older, you might show your children the actual amounts you’ve saved for college. You can pick a local college and show them what that money will buy in terms of books and credit hours.

As your child begins to prepare applications, it’s important to sit down and have a very frank budget discussion. If your child applies for federal student aid, they have to sign the forms and see your income anyway. You might as well take the opportunity to discuss constraints with them.

This doesn’t have to be a scary thing. Your child might work harder to pursue scholarships once they see how much college really costs. It might also inspire them to take their prerequisites at community college in order to save money and not come out with a mountain of loan debt. They could pick up a job and start squirreling away the savings.

Do you have any ideas for other parents looking to teach their kids about money? Share them in the comments section.

]]>http://www.quickenloans.com/blog/teaching-kids-about-the-value-of-money/feed0The Novice Genealogist: Starting Your Genealogy Search Onlinehttp://www.quickenloans.com/blog/the-novice-genealogist-starting-your-genealogy-search-online
http://www.quickenloans.com/blog/the-novice-genealogist-starting-your-genealogy-search-online#commentsThu, 15 Jan 2015 22:46:33 +0000http://zingadmin.mi.corp.rockfin.com/blog/?p=61775Technology has made it easy for novice genealogists to get online and start learning about their family’s history. Genealogy sites have simplified the process, connecting families from all over the world.

]]>There’s something firmly wired in humanity that makes us seek out our heritage. People want to know where they come from, who brought them there, and how the decisions of the past have pieced together the foundations for the present. “We all know it didn’t start with us,” says Dr. Eviatar Zerubavel, a sociology professor at Rutgers University. “We are related to something that came before us, and what’s interesting is that this ‘something’ gives us a sense of identity.” And it’s this eagerness that turns us to the past, pushing us to seek out our own origin story.

Until recently, climbing up the family tree was only for professional genealogists and those peculiar relatives who spend holidays looking through the trunks in your attic. If you wanted to learn about your family’s history, you had to single-handedly discover records and dust off forgotten tombstones, and you probably attended those massive family reunions that always happen on the other side of the state, or the country, or wherever is most inconvenient. It was more than a simple pastime. It was an all-consuming lifestyle.

But in the last few decades, technology has started catching up with the professionals and the eccentrics, making it the perfect time for novice genealogists to get online and start learning about their family’s history. Genealogy sites have been created to simplify the process, connecting families from all over the world.

Do a Little Digging

Before you begin, take a little time to talk with your family. Discovering your genealogy can be a daunting task, so use your nearby resources to build a foundation. This doesn’t have to be a big time commitment; keep conversations within the immediate family. Maybe your mother knows an important family story or has a picture that will help you get the genealogical wheels rolling. Maybe your family changed its surname. Maybe your grandfather was adopted. Maybe you were adopted. These easy discoveries will help you get on right path, thereby making your genealogical experience an enjoyable one.

Which Site Is Right for You?

While there are literally thousands of genealogy sites floating around the web, a select few lead the pack. There are some specialized sites, such as AfriGeneas, which provide resources for those researching African-American roots. Most often, general genealogical Internet options, like Archives.com, Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org, provide the widest range of records and resources.

To Pay or Not to Pay

Certain sites require their patrons to pay subscription fees to access all their genealogical wares, which may cause the casual genealogist, like yourself, to raise an eyebrow. After all, this is your history, so you should be entitled to it. This is a reasonable reaction, so start your journey by checking out FamilySearch.org. Brought to you by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, this heritage site is perfect for you if you want to dig into your past without digging into your wallet. By simply adding your name and background information, FamilySearch will allow you to start making connections to public records and the public genealogies of other users. While FamilySearch has many of the same bells and whistles as paid providers, their service isn’t quite as extensive. However, you’re still able to set up a basic family tree, save records and then share them with the online community. Although your results will probably vary depending on the documents available, FamilySearch is a great first step for those of you who want to dip your toe in the genealogy pool.

Perks if You Pay

Two of the other leading sites, Ancestry.com and Archives.com, offer some of the best genealogical resources in the world, but they come at a price. These for-profit providers have massive name databases, family records and an impressive worldwide focus. Archives.com, which was recently purchased by Ancestry.com, has over 2 billion records that will help you link together your family history, as well as a Facebook integration tool that is nice for sharing information. Like FamilySearch, this site will help you create and “grow” your family tree. It is also known for being easy to navigate and for having excellent customer service.

The most renowned of the genealogical cites, though, is Ancestry.com, which has enough trappings to keep its customers paying every month. While the amount of information can be intimidating for some, the overall process of starting a family tree on Ancestry.com can be an exciting undertaking.

Ancestry.com will initially prompt you to insert your name and information, as well as the names of your parents and grandparents. This is the beginning of your personal family tree. At that point, if the info you provided matches any of their records, Ancestry will provide hints. Joe Habib, a subscriber to Ancestry.com, considers these hints to be the best part of the experience. “With their help,” Habib says, “I was able to discover that my great-great grandmother had owned and operated a bar, which was an interesting career for a woman in those days.” These leaf-shaped hints will guide you further up the family tree, connecting you to birth records and wedding licenses, as well as the information provided by other users.

Skeptics Welcome

If you’re skeptical about paying the monthly subscription fee for sites like Ancestry.com and Archives.com, you can still give these sites a spin with a free trial run. At the very least, you can discover and better understand the hype. And, if the price of the subscription is an issue, here’s a helpful hint: At the end of your free trial, call the company to cancel your subscription, even if you plan on keeping it. In an effort to keep your business, these sites have been known to lower the subscription price – but this only works if you call.

So jump online and discover your own story. After all, digging through the past is America’s newest pastime. It’s easy, interesting and a fun way learn about the men and women who brought you into this world.

]]>http://www.quickenloans.com/blog/the-novice-genealogist-starting-your-genealogy-search-online/feed0Estates, Inheritances and Family Conflicthttp://www.quickenloans.com/blog/estates-inheritances-and-family-conflict
http://www.quickenloans.com/blog/estates-inheritances-and-family-conflict#commentsFri, 26 Dec 2014 16:21:24 +0000http://zingadmin.mi.corp.rockfin.com/blog/?p=61594When there’s a family dispute over an inheritance or estate, the loss of a loved one can be just the beginning of the emotional turmoil. With a few simple pointers, however, you can be prepared to help smooth out the bumps in the road of loss.

]]>As anyone who has siblings knows, brothers and sisters don’t always get along. Throw inheritance or anything left behind by a loved one into that relationship, and the potential for serious family tension rears its ugly head.

Fortunately, there are things you can do to head off those heated moments, hopefully even before money becomes a matter of debate.

Setting the Stage

When a loved one passes away, emotions run high. Hopefully it’s a time that brings family together, but the reality is that the loss of a loved one is the most stressful time in a person’s life. And with stress comes tension and anxiety.

That anxiety can make people react in ways they might not normally. Tensions are ratcheted up, for certain. But knowing that going in might make common ground a little easier to reach when it comes to doling out a loved one’s things.

And, since there’s no right way to mourn, know that not everyone is as resilient or as focused as you might be. Patience on everyone’s part will go a long way.

Know What You’re Working With

Just as no two people mourn the same, no two families are exactly alike. Tight, distant, blended, traditional – it just doesn’t matter. The business of divvying up an estate is never easy. Neither is dealing with the relationships between everyone involved.

Going in, if you know two siblings have trouble getting along, you can gird yourself against that inevitable conflict. A little preparation on the emotional front goes a long way.

At the same time you’re preparing emotionally, prepare yourself on a more tangible level. Get help in discovering any accounts your loved one might have had by enlisting your family to help you chase them down.

Start with bank statements and pay stubs to find any outgoing payments and any accounts receiving payments. In my Dad’s case, the first stop my sister and I made was to a local bank branch to see what we needed to do first. My dad’s banker referred us to a lawyer and suggested we call my dad’s HR representative. Together, we had a clear picture of all of my Dad’s accounts.

When we were ready to speak to a lawyer, we were able to provide a clear picture of my dad’s estate, and were able to save our lawyer some legwork (and ourselves some money).

Open Up a Can of Talk

The first, and maybe even the easiest thing you can do to ease tension, is talk. And not just to your kid sister. Talk to everyone.

To get to some sort of agreement on estate assets, you have to understand everyone’s expectations, not only as a beneficiary, but also as a son, daughter, husband, wife, uncle, aunt, whatever. Talking is the easiest way to get everyone on the same page.

Get everyone in the immediate family together to discuss your loved one’s assets, the will, the inheritance and the estate as candidly as possible. Feelings will probably get hurt. But given the situation, everyone’s already hurting emotionally. Try to get through it together as best as you can.

Don’t assume you know family expectations either. You might be surprised at how much or how little some family members care about “dad’s stuff.” If there’s an understanding about everyone’s expectations, you’ll at least have a place to start.

If there ends up being a conflict, find common ground. Whether it’s an object from the house or the memory of the one you just lost, chances are that you’ll both agree that your departed loved one wouldn’t want there to be a fight.

Additionally, there’s a good chance you’re not the only peacemaker in the family. Find an ally in the cause for family harmony.

You’re All in This Together

When it comes to moving on the estate, leave no one in the dark, be an open book and over-communicate your actions. And above all, do everything together.

If you make a visit to the lawyer, let everyone know. If you drop by the house to shut off the water, let everyone know. If you have to make a trip to the bank in the name of the estate, let everyone know.

In the name of transparency, copy everyone on your communications. Not only does it keep everyone up to speed, it gives you documentation should anything come into question.

If you make your actions transparent, the rest of the family will hopefully do the same. It’s a good faith gesture that people usually reciprocate.

Lawyer Up … Or Don’t

You might think that a lawyer is your last resort in matters of disputed estates, but the truth is, a lawyer might not be the best way to go.

There are two simple reasons:

Lawyers cost money.

Lawyers aren’t your only option.

If you and your family have hired an estate attorney, his or her fees will most likely be either an hourly fee or a percentage of the estate. You can arrange to have their fees come directly from the estate itself. If all goes well, you might not have to pay one cent out of pocket.

If you hire a lawyer for representation as the result of a disputed inheritance, however, it’s all on you. Your lawyer will be a different attorney than the estate attorney, and your lawyer will represent you in the dispute. That’s the kind of lawyering you pay for.

Second, a lawyer isn’t the only way to go when it comes to disputed inheritances. Mediation is a viable option as well. With mediation, the parties in question sit down with a licensed mediator whose mission is to represent the best interests of everyone involved. A mediator is impartial, and works toward the common good of everyone involved. The end result is a consensus that’s agreed upon by everyone involved, and a mutual understanding of each other’s concerns.

It’s Stuff

So do everyone a favor. Communicate, educate and self-mediate. Because when it all comes down to it, you’d rather remember the time you spent with your loved one, not the time bickering over what’s left after he or she is gone.

Have you had any issues dealing with the estate of a loved one? Share with us how you navigated the rough waters of conflict in the comments below.

]]>http://www.quickenloans.com/blog/estates-inheritances-and-family-conflict/feed0Helping Your Parents Buy a Home for Retirementhttp://www.quickenloans.com/blog/helping-your-parents-buy-a-home-for-retirement
http://www.quickenloans.com/blog/helping-your-parents-buy-a-home-for-retirement#commentsWed, 17 Dec 2014 00:35:08 +0000http://zingadmin.mi.corp.rockfin.com/blog/?p=61506So, mom and dad want to buy another house. You really need to help them out and make sure that what they buy isn’t going to be what they want to sell soon after. There are some important considerations for seniors in the housing market.

]]>Years ago, my mother-in-law decided it was time to leave the family’s 60-year-old house in a suburb of Detroit for the beautiful northern shores of Traverse City, MI. My father-in-law wanted nothing to do with this plan. The old house was familiar, held memories and was very close to the Knights of Columbus chapter (bar) he visited nightly.

After much kicking, screaming and complaining from my father-in-law, the lady of the house got her way. And, after a while, everyone was much happier because of her wise decision. Here’s why.

Out with the Old

While the old house may have held many memories, it was also plagued with problems that could have become even more serious in the coming years. It was a two-story house with bedrooms on the upper level. Trekking up and down those stairs could be perilous some day for both of them. And the laundry facility was located in the basement – more up and down the stairs.

But those weren’t the only problems with the old homestead. The house was constructed of three materials: brick, wood and aluminum. The brick may have been low-maintenance, but the wood was rotting and the aluminum needed painting. And the yard, oh my, the yard. It was gigantic. While it may have been perfect for a posse of kids and a swimming pool years ago, it would soon need professional landscapers to keep it in tip-top shape.

Top Dollar in a Popular Neighborhood

My in-laws decided to sell the house and were lucky enough to do so at the top of the housing market. The sleepy suburb they moved into 40 years earlier had since become a trendy town filled with snazzy restaurants and swinging nightspots. Real estate prices were through the roof, so to speak.

In with the New

So, what did they move into “up north” in Traverse City? A beautiful berm – earth-sheltered – house on a small, treed lot about a block from the lake.

The one-level berm house was environmentally friendly. It was partially below ground level, which helped retain heat in the winter and kept things cool in the summer. A heat pump also helped with that.

The laundry room, like everything else, was located on the first floor. And the layout was perfect for folks who expect out-of-town visitors; there were two bedrooms and a bathroom on one side of the house, and another bedroom and bathroom on the other side, ensuring privacy for all. The garage was attached to the house, which helped the couple avoid having to trek through the snow to get to and from the car in the winter. And, because they had the house built, they were able to get nifty leafless gutters, which meant no more climbing ladders to clear the clogs!

Knights of Who?

But what about the Knights of Columbus? Did dear old dad find a chapter up in Traverse City? Yes, but it didn’t have a bar. So, he abruptly joined the Elks, which offered cheap beer and a view of the bay.

What to Look for in Senior Housing

If you’re helping your parents buy a home for their golden years, here are some things you should look for:

A single-level home

A low-maintenance exterior (this could include a smaller yard, leafless gutters, or even an HOA that handles all the maintenance)

]]>http://www.quickenloans.com/blog/helping-your-parents-buy-a-home-for-retirement/feed06 Tips to Keep Your Child Safehttp://www.quickenloans.com/blog/6-tips-to-reduce-child-abductions-and-child-trafficking
http://www.quickenloans.com/blog/6-tips-to-reduce-child-abductions-and-child-trafficking#commentsFri, 12 Dec 2014 15:33:43 +0000http://zingadmin.mi.corp.rockfin.com/blog/?p=61461Here are six things we can all do to reduce the number of child abductions and eliminate the risk of child trafficking. It starts with educating yourself!

]]>Did you know that every 40 seconds, a child in the U.S. goes missing or is abducted? This alarming statistic is widely reported by the FBI and other agencies across the country. I also recently learned that the average age of an abducted child is about 11 or 12, according to the FBI.

Unfortunately, a large number of abducted children get pulled into human trafficking. Human trafficking is defined as the illegal movement of people, typically by force for labor or sexual exploitation. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, approximately 100,000 to 300,000 American youth are at risk of becoming trafficking victims every year.

I recently interviewed Jane White, the founder and director of the Michigan Human Trafficking Task Force, to learn what we can do to help eliminate the risk of child trafficking and create safer communities for children. Here are six easy tips.

Tip 1: Start Communicating with Your Kids Early

Parents should start opening the lines of communication with their children as early as possible. Start discussing the things going on at school and with their friends, and start sharing awareness about their Internet usage.

“The issue is not the need for more computer controls,” said Jane, who created the task force through Michigan State University’s School of Criminal Justice. “These kids are online chatting with adults that are posing as kids. And many kids believe these are their actual friends even though they don’t understand the dangers of these online interactions.” She suggested talking to teens in particular about online predators who attempt to get close to them and arrange to meet in person.

When children do connect with adults, they often shower them with praise and accolades. “Predators are telling kids, ‘You’re so beautiful’ or ‘You’re so wonderful,’ so they willingly go off with strangers,” said Jane, who spent her entire career in law enforcement and has worked extensively with children who’ve been victimized.

“It’s so important for parents to show their kids love early on and assure them that they are there for them,” she said. “It can be as simple as hugging and holding kids more frequently.”

Tip 2: Encourage Your Local Police to Get Training

It’s important for local law enforcement officers to get proper training on how to identify trafficking cases and be equipped to support victims. Increased training can result in greater understanding of the topic and successful prosecutions.

“Only 75% of Michigan police officers are trained about trafficking,” Jane said reluctantly. “All of us can make phone calls to make sure our police department gets educated. We also need more training among local prosecutors and judges.”

Mandated training through in-service training or basic training in police academies can result in improved handling of interactions with victims, an increased number of prosecutions and stiffer criminal penalties for heinous crimes.

Tip 3: Promote Awareness in the Foster Care Community

Foster children and runaways have been identified as a population at high risk for exploitation by traffickers. It’s important that proper mental health assessment and sex offender screening is taking place with prospective foster parents and their families.

“Some children in foster homes are dealing with extreme trauma. It’s not unusual for these kids to be put in 10, 12 or 14 different homes over the course of their lives,” she explained. “Any population of kids who are considered to be outcasts in some way are likely at risk.”

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, predators target children who have unstable lives and have been abused or neglected. Kids living in group homes are often targeted, as well as kids who often congregate in public places like malls.

Sometimes missing reports aren’t filed for foster children, particularly when they’ve run away from their foster homes. More programs are needed for children in foster care to increase their awareness of risk.

Tip 4: Urge Your Legislators to Support Victims

People can call their state legislators to produce more direct and indirect support for trafficking victims. This includes bills for steeper convictions, more psychological services, shelter facilities and mandated trafficking reporting.

“Somebody needs to step up to the plate to help provide more services for victims,” said Jane, who says there are very few safe havens for victims in Michigan. “But many people take the position ‘It’s not my problem,’ when child trafficking is actually everyone’s problem to some extent.”

After much effort, in October, Michigan legislators successfully passed 21 bills that impact state trafficking laws.

“But unfortunately, no money was attached to any of the bills that passed,” Jane explained. “Where are the bills that create a larger system of support through university research or provide legal services and job preparation for victims?”

Tip 5: Promote Education in Your Social Groups

Everyone is involved in something, whether it’s a church group, sorority, parent organization or school activity. People can take initiative to educate their social circles on preventive measures and statistics about child trafficking.

“It’s time to do something,” said Jane, whose nonprofit relies on donations to continue building awareness and support systems for victims. “Make people aware of what’s going on in their community and challenge them to get involved!”

She believes that we don’t talk enough about the demand side of child trafficking. More people should be asking this question: Who are these people who are trying to connect with these kids?

“We really need to become more of a child-focused society in order to foster more support, awareness and action,” Jane said.

Tip 6: Educate Yourself Now

“There’s a great need for more self-education. We really need more awareness out there about these issues,” she insisted. “People think that exploitation results from kids getting pulled into cars by strangers, but that’s not how it works these days.”

Jane said that labor trafficking is as much a problem as sexual trafficking, so people should learn more about both topics as they relate to children and women.

The book “Walking Prey: How America’s Youth Are Vulnerable to Sex Slavery” by Holly Austin Smith tells her story of victimization and provides helpful tips for parents, teachers and kids. “Disposable People: New Slavery in the Global Economy” by Kevin Bales is another resourceful book that can help shed light on the things that put children at risk for trafficking.

These are just a few ways you can get information and get involved in the fight against child trafficking. To learn more about trafficking, you also can visit HumanTrafficking.msu.edu, or check out the Michigan Human Trafficking Task Force on Facebook. The National Human Trafficking Resource Center hotline is (888) 373-7888, and callers can remain anonymous if necessary.

]]>http://www.quickenloans.com/blog/6-tips-to-reduce-child-abductions-and-child-trafficking/feed0How to Make the Most of $500 on Your Kids and Familyhttp://www.quickenloans.com/blog/how-to-make-the-most-of-500-on-your-kids-and-family
http://www.quickenloans.com/blog/how-to-make-the-most-of-500-on-your-kids-and-family#commentsMon, 17 Nov 2014 18:30:06 +0000http://zingadmin.mi.corp.rockfin.com/blog/?p=61125Family is defined differently for everyone, whether it consists of siblings, kids, cousins, friends or pets. Despite the difference in what we call our family, most people agree that their family is the most important part of their life. Here are some ways you could spend $500 on your family.

If you had $500 to spend on your family this holiday season, would you spend it on your family? Family is defined differently for everyone, whether it consists of siblings, kids, cousins, friends or pets. Despite the difference in what we call our family, most people agree that their family is the most important part of their life. Here are some ways you could spend $500 on your family.

No kids

I understand. I have a family, but I don’t have any kids. Between pets, siblings, parents, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends, there are plenty of people (or animals) that us child-less people can spend $500 on. Heck, it can cost $500 to get a cat or dog’s teeth cleaned. If you won $500, think about things like a wine tasting trip with your sisters or chipping in on a road trip with friends. And think about the look on your nieces’ and nephews’ faces (and your siblings’) when you show up with the oversized teddy bear and remote control car their parents wouldn’t buy.

Young kids

Now is a great time to put money away for future expenses. A lot of bank accounts or certificates of deposit have decent interest rates. After 15 or 20 years, this could add up to a sizable chunk of change. Adding some money every month is definitely a good idea, but imagine if you could add $500 more to that account one month.

Teenagers

They always say that kids don’t grow up; the toys just get more expensive. Between iPods, clothes, video games and their respective consoles, it wouldn’t be hard to spend that much over the holidays on your teenager.

Maybe you’d prefer to spend $500 on activities or trips with your teenagers, as opposed to buying things. Put this money toward a vacation you could take with them. Depending on where you want to go and what you want to do, $500 could cover things like amusement park tickets for the family or the cost of gas and souvenirs on a road trip. Get creative to make the most out of the money you spend on your teenagers.

All-grown-up kids

This might just be me, but your grown-up kids would probably get more use out of money than they would out most things from the department store. Think about what they do for a living, where they live and how they spend their time. What would THEY use $500 on? Would they spend it on their own young kids? Maybe you could help them out by splurging on your grandkids this holiday season. Are they trying to do some home renovations? Putting some money towards the investments they are trying to make might end up being a much appreciated use of money.

Winning any sum of money and spending it on those you call family is genuinely thoughtful. Regardless of whether you put it toward buying tickets for a trip, funding one of their current projects, buying some electronics they’ve had their eyes on or buying anything else you know they’d love, this selfless gesture is sure to make them smile.

]]>http://www.quickenloans.com/blog/how-to-make-the-most-of-500-on-your-kids-and-family/feed0Four Tips to Manage a Family Member’s Assets When There’s No Willhttp://www.quickenloans.com/blog/four-tips-to-manage-a-family-members-assets-when-theres-no-will
http://www.quickenloans.com/blog/four-tips-to-manage-a-family-members-assets-when-theres-no-will#commentsThu, 13 Nov 2014 20:32:22 +0000http://zingadmin.mi.corp.rockfin.com/blog/?p=61093Losing a family member is difficult enough without having to deal with settling his or her financial affairs after their passing. Ideally, there’s a will to help put those things in order. Sometimes, there isn’t. But even if there is no will, there’s still a way.

]]>It’s been said that estate planning (wills, trusts, etc.) isn’t for your peace of mind. Instead, it’s a way to make the intricacies of everything that happens with death a little easier on your loved ones.

It’s true. When a family member passes away, you get a crash course in law, taxes, and most importantly, family politics. A will or trust makes managing that money a lot easier by informing the family where and how much of his or her estate goes where.

There are a few terms we should familiarize ourselves with right off the bat:

Estate – In basic terms, the sum of the assets of the deceased.

Executor – A person either named in a will or set up by the court to manage the estate.

That said, here are a few things you can do to smooth out the rough road of losing a loved one who doesn’t have a will.

Lawyer Up

When there’s no will, or when one can’t be found, a lawyer is your best bet. For every kind of legal matter, there’s a lawyer who specializes in it. Estate law is no exception.

A lawyer can help get the estate established, and can open accounts with a death certificate (sometimes a pending death certificate will do). Lawyers can also be named as a fiduciary, someone who has permission to pay bills from the personal accounts of deceased. In the case of my dad’s passing, the fiduciary had to live in the state where my dad lived. Both my sister and I live out of state, so our lawyer is our acting fiduciary.

Typically, lawyers charge in two different ways: either a percentage of the estate’s value or a fixed hourly rate. Both have their advantages.

If the lawyer charges a percentage of the estate’s value, he or she will calculate the value of the estate through appraisals of the home, its contents and the car. Checking and savings accounts are also considered. The advantage in this case is that the lawyer has every incentive to get the most value out of your estate because it helps determine his or her pay. Some states cap the percentage amount that estate lawyers can charge.

If the lawyer charges hourly, you pay for the time your lawyer puts against your case. The advantage here is that your lawyer charges you only for the time he or she works and nothing more.

When it comes to finding a lawyer, go with recommendations if you can. My dad lived out of town, but it just so happened that my sister and I stumbled into a great resource for finding a lawyer referral – my dad’s bank.

Bank on It

My father’s passing was unexpected, and he hadn’t gotten around to writing up a will. Fortunately, my sister and I knew which bank he used, so we made a stop by his branch. There, a very friendly and understanding banker gave us the names of three lawyers who handle estate affairs.

Bankers deal in estate issues all the time, so they’re familiar with the other working parts of settling accounts. Until they have a death certificate, banks are limited in what they can do for you.

The banker we met was able to pull up our dad’s account and tell us what he had there. But that was it. We learned he had a checking account, a savings account, a small investment and a safety deposit box. Our banker couldn’t go into any more detail than that, but we were armed with more information about my dad’s estate than we were before we walked into that branch.

Banks are also an invaluable resource for helping you manage any investments your loved one might have left behind. You don’t need a will to name a beneficiary (someone to whom the balance is given in the event of death) for investments. Banks offer financial planning and investment services for any kind of financial or investment windfalls.

Treat Your Family Well

Fortunately, my sister and I have a strong relationship. Always have. And having her there throughout the loss of our dad has been a true gift. She and I are a solid team, and with our respective spouses, we’re unstoppable.

Because my dad never had a will written up, and because my dad is long divorced from my mom, my sister and I were the primary beneficiaries by default. We decided to make the settling of the estate a team effort, and as a result, we’re sharing responsibility, for better or for worse.

Before our lawyer was able to open an account, we had no choice but to pay my dad’s bills. We were worried about what would happen if we didn’t. We made a list of what my dad was paying every month by going through his wallet, his check stubs, his mail, his bank statements and anything else we could get our hands on. We made calls, informed creditors and utility providers of his passing, and split the payments we made 50/50.

It was a hardship we weren’t exactly prepared to make, but we were able to help each other when we needed it. Eventually, the estate reimbursed us for our expenses, but through it all, my sister and I had each other’s backs.

Sharing the responsibility of my dad’s affairs brought us closer together and, believe it or not, helped us grieve. It gave us ways to talk about our dad that made us smile (“Look! Here’s where he sent you a birthday check!”). And it gave us ways to distract ourselves from missing him.

Sure, sometimes family can help you financially manage your loved one’s assets if there isn’t a will. But the added benefit of having them by your side through the loss is worth more than any estate.

It Takes Time, Before and After Loss

Estate work is tedious and drawn out, and nobody works on your timeframe. It’s frustrating, but true. My father just passed away a little over a month ago, and things seem to be moving at a hyper-caffeinated snail’s pace.

As much as I want to be through with managing everything he left behind, I’m learning that I’m at the mercy of others’ schedules. But you have to press on.

Follow up. Call. Email. Badger. Be an insistent pain. Remind the people who are working for you that you’re a client. If things are taking too long, don’t be afraid to let someone know how you feel. You can get pretty far simply by saying, “I’m wondering why this is taking so long. Shouldn’t this have happened by now?”

And finally, there’s no better motivation to plan your own estate than dealing with the assets of a loved one without a will. Take the time to have a will or trust written up. Nobody likes to be confronted with his or her own mortality, but try not to think of it that way. Think of it as a gift to your loved ones.

Have you managed the assets of a loved one who passed away without a will? Did your loved one have a will, and were there any roadblocks in settling the estate? What would you do differently? Let us know in the comments below!

]]>http://www.quickenloans.com/blog/four-tips-to-manage-a-family-members-assets-when-theres-no-will/feed0The Ultimate Checklist for Hosting Thanksgiving 2014http://www.quickenloans.com/blog/the-ultimate-checklist-for-hosting-thanksgiving-2014
http://www.quickenloans.com/blog/the-ultimate-checklist-for-hosting-thanksgiving-2014#commentsTue, 28 Oct 2014 19:02:58 +0000http://zingadmin.mi.corp.rockfin.com/blog/?p=60923Thanksgiving is quickly approaching, and if you’re hosting the dinner this year, it’s time to start planning. That’s why I’ve put together a helpful Thanksgiving checklist to relieve some of the stress. There’s even a downloadable PDF version so you can check it off as you go!

]]>Thanksgiving is quickly approaching, and if you’re hosting dinner, it’s time to start planning. Thanksgiving falls on the fourth Thursday of November, which is November 27 this year. It might seem like a month is plenty of time to prepare, but if you’re not careful, time will fly right by you. That’s why I’ve put together a helpful Thanksgiving checklist to relieve some of the stress. There’s even a downloadable PDF version so you can check it off as you go!

Early November

Make a guest list and contact guests to confirm attendance.

Check your seating. Do you have enough tables and chairs to accommodate everyone? If not, make plans to purchase, rent or borrow more.

Create the menu for your Thanksgiving dinner.

Determine how the food will be served (buffet style, sit down, family style).

Need some ideas on recipes your guests will love? Check out this article from Taste of Home.

Take inventory of your tableware. Do you have everything you need? Check for these key items:

Tablecloths

Napkins

Dinner plates

Forks, knives and spoons

Bowls, pots and serving trays

Carving knife

Serving utensils

Dessert plates

Coffee cups and saucers

Water glasses

Wine glasses

Breadbasket

Gravy boat

Trivets

Make your shopping list. Include decorations, tableware and ingredients, splitting the ingredients into two lists: nonperishables that you can buy now, and perishables you need to buy the week of Thanksgiving.

If you’re ordering a turkey, place your order now.

Two Weeks Before

Clean out your refrigerator and freezer to make room for all of your dishes and ingredients.

If you’re buying a turkey from the store, buy one now to get the best selection, and store it in your freezer.

Make and freeze items that will freeze well, such as pies, relish and gravy.

Make a seating chart.

Clean and iron linens so they’re ready for the big meal.

If children are attending, find some games and crafts for them to play with before or after dinner.

Weekend Before

Become a cleaning machine! Get your house into tip-top shape for when guests arrive.

Wash all china and glassware.

Set out tablecloths and any fall decorations you have.

Buy foil, food-saving bags or plastic containers for guests to take home leftovers.

Purchase any remaining non-perishables.

Monday

Put the turkey in the refrigerator to thaw. It takes approximately 24 hours for every 4 to 5 pounds of turkey.

Make a cooking schedule for the rest of the week, including the big day!

Tuesday

Head to the store before it gets too crazy, and pick up the perishables and drinks you’ll need, as well as any flowers you want for the table.

Wednesday

Prepare and refrigerate desserts and sides.

Set the table with decorations and place settings.

Chill beverages.

Thanksgiving Day

Turn on the TV, watch the Thanksgiving Day Parade and eat some breakfast.

Follow your cooking schedule.

Sit back, eat some food, enjoy your company and relax.

Download the Thanksgiving Checklist

Hopefully this Thanksgiving checklist will help you prepare for the holiday with less stress. Have any other dinner preparation tips? Share them with us in the comment section!

]]>http://www.quickenloans.com/blog/the-ultimate-checklist-for-hosting-thanksgiving-2014/feed0Should You Get A Flu Shot?http://www.quickenloans.com/blog/should-you-get-a-flu-shot
http://www.quickenloans.com/blog/should-you-get-a-flu-shot#commentsThu, 23 Oct 2014 16:11:08 +0000http://zingadmin.mi.corp.rockfin.com/blog/?p=60884As 2014 draws to a close, flu season is just getting started. How do flu vaccines work? Should you get them? And what could happen if you get, or choose not to get, a flu shot?

But the question of whether or not you should get a flu shot is a valid one, especially with the amount and intensity of the debate these days.

Before we get started, please note that with any question of a medical nature, the best counsel you can get is from your primary care physician. Trust your doctor, not former TV celebrities, suspicious articles that you read on the Internet or secondhand accounts from friends (unless they’re medical professionals).

We will do our best to provide the facts from trusted sources to help you understand what the flu shot is, how it works, its potential side effects and the implications of getting or not getting vaccinated.

What Is Influenza or “The Flu?”

There’s a good chance that everyone reading this has had a cold before, perhaps even a nasty one. Common colds and influenza have a lot in common. They’re both viral infections that primarily affect the respiratory system. Depending on your individual immune response, you could have either influenza or a cold, and maybe not really know the difference.

But where influenza distinguishes itself is on the type and severity of symptoms. Influenza can cause severe complications, especially for at-risk groups like infants and the elderly. In 2010 over 53,000 people died from complications of respiratory illness, mainly the flu or pneumonia, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

This handy chart from WebMD illustrates the most common symptoms and how they present themselves in influenza and the common cold.

Symptoms

Cold

Flu

Fever

Rare

Usually, high (100-102 degrees), lasts three to four days

Headache

Rare

Prominent

General Aches, Pains

Slight

Usually, often severe

Fatigue, Weakness

Mild

Common, lasting two to three weeks

Extreme Exhaustion

Never

Early and prominent

Nasal Congestion

Common

Sometimes

Sneezing

Usually

Sometimes

Sore Throat

Common

Sometimes

Chest Discomfort, Cough

Mild to Moderate – Hacking

Common, can become severe

One important thing to note is that there is not just one flu virus. The influenza virus is actually divided into three different types – A, B and C.

Influenza A viruses are further divided into strains based on the proteins on the surface of the virus: the hemagglutinin (H) and the neuraminidase (N). One of the most common strains of influenza is H1N1.

Influenza B viruses are named after their region of origin. For example, Yamagata and Victoria are two of the most historic lineages.

Influenza C viruses are generally less severe and are generally not known to cause significant outbreaks.

“Flu season” refers to the peak times during the year in which outbreaks of influenza are the most common. Typically, the season begins in October, peaking in February and ending generally by April.

How Do Flu Shots Work?

The flu shot is a vaccine used to illicit an immune response so that your body is better equipped to fight off the virus if it enters your body. The most common influenza vaccine is a trivalent vaccine, meaning it is created to protect against the three most common flu viruses. The 2014 influenza vaccine is formulated to protect against H1N1, H3N2 and a common influenza B virus.

The flu shot works like any vaccine. In this case, the three common strains listed above are injected into your body in a severely weakened or dormant state. This allows your body to produce antibodies meant to destroy the virus if it enters later on.

Basically, it’s a head start or a heads-up to your immune system. The flu vaccine works like a blueprint to allow your body to mount its own defense. Should you become infected with one of the strains in the vaccine, your body should have the weapons available to fight it off quickly and effectively.

In addition to protecting your body from the common flu strains, the vaccine also helps prevent the spread of flu to other people. Influenza is easily spread from person to person. If you don’t have influenza, you can’t transmit it to others.

Who Should Not Get a Flu Vaccine?

While the influenza vaccine is recommended by the CDC for everyone over the age of 6 months, there are some people with specific allergies or medical conditions that should not get the vaccine:

People who have had previous severe allergic reactions to an influenza vaccine

People with certain egg or dairy allergies (many flu vaccines contain a small amount of egg protein)

People with Guillain-Barré syndrome, a rare immune disorder

You should also only get the flu shot when you’re feeling generally well or healthy. Receiving the vaccine when you are sick can reduce its effectiveness.

What Happens if You Get a Flu Vaccine?

The flu shot is the most effective way of protecting yourself and others around you from the flu.

While it’s not guaranteed that you will be immune, your chances of becoming infected are significantly reduced.

If you get a flu shot and experience moderate or severe side effects, contact your doctor. Afterwards, you should report your experience to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS).

What Happens if You Choose Not to Get a Flu Vaccine?

You may or may not get the flu. But your chances of contracting influenza are certainly much higher and will increase as flu season carries on.

Even if you practice meticulous personal hygiene, influenza is easily spread from person to person. The more people who have it, the more people who spread it.

Influenza is nothing to scoff at. If you’ve had it before, you don’t want it again. It’s a potentially fatal disease, especially if you belong to high-risk groups. Even if you’ve never had influenza before, getting a flu shot is the best way to keep that streak alive.

Regardless of whether you choose to get vaccinated, make sure you are taking good precautions to help limit the spread of infections. These include avoiding contact with people who are sick, washing your hands frequently, and covering your nose and mouth when you sneeze and cough. Sounds like common sense, but these precautions can be very effective in curtailing the spread of germs and viruses.

If you still have questions or concerns, make sure to discuss them with your doctor.